Australian Festival of Speed to feature Mark Webber in a Formula 1 car

By Karl Peskett | September 01st, 2010

Words and photos: Jan Glovac

It may be affectionately known as the Wild West, but Perth is set to become motoring heaven in November when Mark Webber attempts to break the lap record at Wanneroo Raceway in a current Red Bull Racing Formula 1 car.

At a media launch today, event chairman, Terry Mader, announced the program that is set to include Webber’s dash around the track not once, but three times. Red Bull is sending an 11 man team (not including drivers) to support the Formula 1 car, which was said to have cost the organisers “a big six-figure amount” – no doubt it’ll be worth it.

Webber will race the clock, as well as talking live about the year just gone. The featured track test will be supported by other categories, including V8 Super Cars, Rally Cars, Sport Sedans, Formula Cars, Race Bikes, Street Cars and Historic Racers.

In addition, footy fans will be able to watch Eagles and Dockers players battle it out in a Toyota versus Hyundai race, based on Top Gear’s Star in a Reasonably Priced Car segment.

Jeff Kendrick will put a sprint car through its paces on bitumen when he takes to the track, while a 1997 Dallara Indy Car will be out doing several laps.

Various events will be held throughout Perth in the leadup to the event, culimating in the Festival of Speed’s race day on November 28. Tickets range from $30-$85 with special packages available.

The Australian Automobile Club is hoping to expand the event next year, exactly what Perth needs after losing Rally Australia and the Red Bull Air Race.

For more information head to the Festival of Speed’s website by clicking here.

TomJ

Mark Webber is my absolutely hero, im really disappointed this is on the wrong coast of Australia, id love to go to it.

Joe

Do they teach you grammar over East?

http://www.AUSmotive.com Liam

DO A SKID!
Millatime

Great idea, wrong location..

Needs to be east coast.

Joe

Typical Easterner response.
j

Correction:

Great idea, great location…

More stuff needs to be on the west coast.

Millatime

Like the F1 in Adelaide, give it 5 years, ten at the absolute most, and the Oz festival of speed will be on the east coast – guaranteed.

You westerners have not yet, nor will you ever, overcome the tyranny of distance I’m afraid.

Can’t wait till it gets here!

Joe

I hope that one day WA becomes its own country and the rest of the country sinks in debt, especially the biased idiots!

Millatime

Joe, I like the west, I’ve visited and travelled the length of your vast coast and it’s stunning.

But your local population is comparatively small to support such an event, and for most of us eastcoasters it is a heck of a long way to go, two indisputable factors which will ultimately limit the size and success of this festival.

Despite all that, here’s hoping it’s the genesis of something great.

P.Jones

Great idea and hope it is a Huge success !
Nightshifter

Attempt to break the record? Wouldn’t that be way tooooo easy if he’s to drive his current F1 car??

Swift

No it won’t be too easy. He’s using the short track at Wanneroo and he’ll barely get out of third gear….still…it’ll be pretty quick.

http://www.facebook.com/carisi2k9 Craig Simpson

This is interesting news. I would like to come over to see that.

What would be the point of trying to break the record on the short track. It would have no meaning. I have never seen a race use the short track. Heck the long track is not that long and only takes 59 seconds in a v8. I reckon Marks time on the long track would be in the 40 something second range.